At the battle of Monmouth, his coolness and kind disposition was exemplified by an incident, trifling in itself, but characteristic of greatness. The American army, by the neglect of Gen. Lee, was several hours behind the time appointed by Gen. Washington in taking its position, and forming in order of battle. Some confusion arose from the attack of the British forces: whilst in this state, just at this time of extreme agitation, Gen. Washington came upon the field, and whilst riding in front of the lines, he observed that a shot from the enemy had broken the leg of a horse. He reined in his steed and spoke to the soldiers, "Why do you not put that horse out of misery ?" soldiers stepped from the ranks to obey the command. Gen. Washington remarked, "There is only occasion for one," and then rode on. The soldier from whose lips I had this account said, "I was one of the

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three,and I thought then, and think now, that it was a most extraordinary instance of the humanity and self-possession of the Commander-in-Chief at such a time, when his whole energy was required in forming the troops, in the face of an attack, that he should stop and direct his attention to a wounded horse."

Several anecdotes are also told of the regularity and method of this great man, among which are the following:

General Stone relates that he was travelling with his family, in his carriage across the country, and arrived at a ferry belonging to General Washington. He offered the ferryman a Portuguese coin. The man

said, "I cannot take it; the general asked "Why, John?" He replied, "I am only a servant to General Washington, and have no weights to weigh it with, and the general will weigh it, and if it should not be weight, he will not only make me the loser, but will be angry with me. Well, John, you must take it, and I will lose three-pence in

its value." The ferryman did so, and he carried it to General Washington on the Saturday night following. The general weighed it, and it was not weight-it wanted three-halfpence. General Washington carefully wrapped up three-halfpence in a piece of paper, and directed it to General Stone, which he received from the ferryman on his return. General Stone mentions another of his singularities; that during the time he was engaged in the army in the American war, and from home, he had a plasterer to plaster a room for him, and the room was measured, and the plasterer was paid by the steward. When the general returned home, he measured the room, and found the work came to less by fifteen shillings than the man had received. Some time after the plasterer died, and the widow married another man, who advertised in the newspapers to receive all, and pay all due to or by her former husband. The general, seeing the paper, made a demand of the fifteen shillings and received them. Another time a man came to Mount Vernon to pay rent, and had not the exact balance due to the general. When the money was counted, the general said, four pence are wanting." The man offered him a dollar, and desired him to put it into the next year's account. No he must get the change, and leave the money on the table until he had got it. The man rode to Alexandria, which is nine miles from Mount Vernon, and then the general settled the account. It was always his custom, when he travelled, to pay as much for his servants' breakfast, dinner, or supper, as for his own. It is said he never had any thing bought for his use that was by weight, but he weighed it, or any thing by piece, but he had it counted, and if he found the weight or number incorrect, he sent the articles back again to be regulated.

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Another remarkable American who has obtained a world wide celebrity is Benjamin Franklin, who from a printer rose to a very eminent position by his talents and perseverance. All his thoughts and actions had some useful tendency, and consequently his memory will always be cherished by the wise and good of all nations. This excellent man took a great interest in the improvement of youth, and has left many pleasing stories to prove the value of prudence and right conduct. I will merely relate one, which is probably well known to most of my readers, but cannot be placed under their notice too often. It is called the "Whistle," and it teaches us to act in all the circumstances of life, whether trifling or important, with reflection and com

mon sense.

"When I was a child, at seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pockets with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children; and, being charmed with the sound of a whistle, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered him all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all

over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers and sisters and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth. This put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and they laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more pain than the whistle gave me pleasure.

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This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself—Don't give too much for the whistle, and so I saved my money.

"As I grew up, and came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle.

"When I saw any one too ambitious of court favours, sacrificing his time in attendance on the great, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain honours, I have said to myself—This man gives too much for his whistle.

"When I saw another, fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect He pays, indeed, I said, too much for his whistle.

"If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the joys of benevolence and friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth-Poor man, I said, you do indeed pay too much for your whistle.

"When I meet a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations; Mistaken man, said I, you are providing pain for yourself instead of pleasure you give too much for your whistle.

"If I see one fond of fine clothes, fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts, and ends his career in prison; Alas, said I, he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.

"When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl, married to an illnatured brute of a husband-What a pity it is, said I, that she has paid so much for a whistle.

"In short, I conceived that great part of the miseries of mankind were brought upon them by the false estimates they had made of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles."

HINDUSTAN.

HINDUSTAN, which signifies in the Persian language the country of the Hindus or Hindoos, forms the most interesting part of Asia. It is an immense track of territory, very fertile, and densely populated. Of this vast country the greater part belongs to Great Britain. The Hindoos profess the religion of Brahma, and are very superstitious, but their manners are mild and pleasing. The Hindoo barbers commonly set up their shops under a tree, the foliage of which screens them from the sun. Their basin is the half of a cocoa-nut shell, and their razors have very broad blades, the edge of which is round. The Malabars shave not only the beard, but likewise the whole head, with the exception of a small lock at the crown, and their moustachios, which they constantly retain. The Hindoos are remarkable for their tardiness, and aptness to break promises; they are, however, celebrated for their filial obedience. They are skilful, though very slow in their work. Their manners and diet are remarkably simple, their general dish being curry, a sort of stew made in various ways, with meat and fish. Rice is also freely used. At meals, the Hindoos, generally speaking, sit cross-legged, on carpets, cushions, or rush mats; they have neither knives, forks, nor table cloths, and use nothing but their hands to eat with. The height of the Hindoos is much the same as the Europeans, but they are less muscular and robust. The men wear ear-rings and bracelets, and are fond of decorating themselves with diamonds and other precious stones; their slippers are frequently embroidered with gold and silver; those of princes being sometimes adorned with gems of great value. The slippers or sandals of the lower orders are made of coarse woollen cloth or leather. The houses of the Hindoos have a worse appearance than could be supposed from their ingenuity in other respects. On each side of the door, towards the street, is a narrow gallery covered by the slope of the roof which projects over it, and which, as far as the gallery extends, is supported by pillars of brick or wood. This entrance leads into a court, which is also surrounded by a gallery like the former. On one side of the court is a large room on a level with the floor of the gallery, open in front, and spread with mats and carpets covered with white cotton cloth, where the master of the house receives visits and transacts business. From this court there are entrances by very small doors to the private apartments.

The shocking practice of burning among the Hindoos is too well

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known to require comment here. Charity and hospitality exist among them, not only in word but in deed. 'Hospitality," they say, "is commanded to be exercised even towards an enemy, when he cometh into thine house; the tree doth not withdraw its shade, even from the wood-cutter. Good men extend their charity, even to the vilest

animals."

Some parts of Hindustan are the haunts of elephants, rhinoceroses, wild buffaloes, tigers, monkeys, and other animals. Snakes also abound, and the following anecdote related by a traveller who spent some time in the country, refers to the Cobra Capella, one of the most venemous species of serpents in the East :

"We had been playing all the evening at cards. Maxey, who was always lucky, had won, and this lent a self-satisfied smile to his countenance, and made us, the losers, look anything but pleased, when he suddenly changed countenance, and hesitated to play; this the more surprised us, since he was one who seldom reflected, being so perfectly master of the game that he deemed long consideration unnecessary. Play away, Maxey; what are you about?" impatiently demanded Churchill, one of the most lively youths that ever wore the uniform of a soldier.

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"Hush!" responded Maxey, in a tone which thrilled through us, at the same time turning deadly pale.

"Are you unwell?" said another about to start up, for he believed our friend had been suddenly taken ill.

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Pray sit quiet," rejoined the other, in a tone denoting extreme fear or pain, and he laid down his cards. "If you value my life, move

not."

66 What can he mean!-has he taken leave of his senses?" demanded Churchill, appealing to myself.

"Don't start!-don't move, I tell you!" in a sort of whisper I never can forget, uttered Maxey. "If you make any sudden motion, I am a dead man!"

We exchanged looks. He continued

"Remain quiet, and all may yet be well. I have a cobra capella round my leg."

Our first impulse was to draw back our chairs; but an appealing look from the victim induced us to remain, although we were aware that should the reptile transfer but one fold, and attach himself to any other of the party, that individual might already be counted a dead man, so fatal is the bite of the dreadful monster.

Poor Maxey was dressed as many old residents still dress in India, -namely, nankeen breeches, and silk stockings. He, therefore, the more plainly felt every movement of the snake. His countenance assumed